Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 232: Second Link

Early the next morning, Zhao Changhe stretched lazily as he walked out of his courtyard. He had reverted back to his ordinary appearance, and he had his broad saber on his back as he headed toward the Ji Clan’s residence.

The steward of the Ji Clan was already waiting for him by the entrance. When he saw Zhao Changhe, he let out a breath of relief and hurried toward him to greet him, “Mister Situ, you’re finally here.”

Zhao Changhe lazily replied, “What’s the matter?”

“I heard that someone claiming to be our young master went to Kangle Gambling House last night and used our assets as a wager!”

“So, did you young master really come back?”

“No, of course not. If he did, why would he go to a gambling house before even returning home? The one who claimed to be our young master must be an impostor!”

“In that case, why are you so anxious? I doubt that the impostor would have the deeds to your Ji Clan’s assets, so how would they even be able to put them up for wager?”

“Well... We’re afraid that Kangle Gambling House might make use of this to their advantage...”

“In the end, all that matters is whose fist is bigger. If you’re stronger than them, then there’s no need for other advantages. Did you tell Yan Lianping that I, Situ Xiao, will be negotiating on behalf of the Ji Clan?”

The butler nodded. “I did. Yan Lianping said that he would meet with you at the Autumn Rain Pavilion this morning. Shall we head there right away?”

“Let’s go.” Zhao Changhe took a big gulp from his wine gourd and strode forward. “Hopefully, the wine in Sword Lake City can at least satisfy me.”

It was already autumn.

Coincidentally, as they headed toward Autumn Rain Pavilion, a light drizzle began falling from the sky, bringing a refreshing coolness to the hot weather.

Although the rain was light, it resulted in fewer people on the streets as compared to the day before. Many vendors decided not to set up their stalls, and there were fewer pedestrians. The usually bustling Sword Lake City suddenly had a hint of the serenity of a small town with rain-soaked streets.

Zhao Changhe quite liked this atmosphere. It felt very ancient and reminiscent of the jianghu he imagined while reading novels; that was what Sword Lake City currently felt like.

The next time I change my appearance, I might try adding a mustache.

The Autumn Rain Pavilion was faintly visible in the distant mist. It was a low pavilion, only having two and a half levels, but its location was excellent. The top floor had a windowless terrace, allowing for a clear view of the distant ripples of the Ancient Sword Lake. The cool breeze, together with the autumn rain, made the atmosphere quite pleasant.

At this moment, there were many people gathered outside the building, forming a dense crowd. Half of them were members of the Pinghu Association, while the other half were former members of the incorporated Xingyi Gang.

Although the Xingyi Gang had already been absorbed by the Pinghu Association, there were still some loyal elders willing to come and bolster the reputation of the Ji Clan by supporting them.

This was also one of the reasons why the properties of the Ji Clan on Taiping Street could be kept until now.

Seeing Zhao Changhe and the steward entering the building, the former members of the Xingyi Gang shouted, “We place our trust in you, Mister Situ.”

Zhao Changhe cupped his hand at them before heading upstairs.

At a glance, he saw Yan Lianping sitting in the main seat, with the Fire Serpent of Yi beside him. His hand supported his chin as he admired the scenery. A group of the Pinghu Association’s members stood guard around the floor, their eyes focused on Zhao Changhe and the steward as they ascended the stairs.

The steward’s forehead was dotted with sweat and his legs were trembling slightly.

All he wanted was to use the name of Situ Xiao to secure a bit of “what Young Master Ji deserved” as private property. With the Xingyi Gang disbanded and their young master’s fate uncertain, it was easy for him to manipulate the property that supposedly belonged to the Ji Clan to become his own.

Before coming, he had felt that he would not feel that much pressure with Situ Xiao supporting him, but now that he was actually here, he realized that the pressure of attending such a meeting alone was much greater than he had imagined. It was nerve-racking to the point where his legs were trembling on their own.

If his life was forfeit, then what use was private property?

“Mister Situ?” Yan Lianping was a capable man in his thirties with a sharp demeanor. Upon seeing Zhao Changhe enter, he spoke with a stern expression, “Forgive me, but I would rather not play with you. I’ve seen Situ Xiao, and you are not him.”

Zhao Changhe said lightly, “Does it matter if I’m Situ Xiao or not? The property is owned by Ji Bochang. Are others not qualified to uphold justice?”

Yan Lianping said, “Of course, there’s a difference.”

“Oh?”

“Situ Xiao is the direct successor of the Divine Brilliance Sect, and we would not dare to kill him lightly. But if it were anyone else... the jianghu isn’t a place where yamen like you can just throw their weight around.”

Shing!

The sound of blades being drawn echoed throughout the pavilion, as a gleaming array of blades came to point directly at the center.

The steward’s legs gave out, and he collapsed to the ground.

Zhao Changhe did not even move, and said calmly, “Is this why you simply let the Fire Serpent of Yi appear here without hiding the fact that you’re of the Four Idols Cult? You think that because I’m about to be a dead man, there’s no need to worry about me leaking any secrets?

“It is indeed in part due to dead men not leaking secrets, but also...” Yan Lianping smiled. “Because the people who should know my background already know it, so there is no point in hiding it. Besides, I’m about to unify Sword Lake City, so there’s no longer any need to hide a lot of things.”

Zhao Changhe also smiled. “In that case, there’s no harm in letting others see, right?”

As he finished speaking, a cheerful voice came from outside in the misty rain. “Oh, he really is a member of the Four Idols Cult. Is the Fire Serpent of Yi a lady? Let me see!”

Several figures drifted up the stairs from outside, led by Sha Seven.

Yan Lianping narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze falling on the two elderly men beside Sha Seven. After a moment, he said, “Sha Seven, what is the meaning of this?”

Sha Seven plopped down opposite Yan Lianping, with a nonchalant air about him. “Ji Bochang has already wagered at my Kangle Gambling House. I’ve come to discuss this matter with you.”

Yan Lianping looked at Zhao Changhe and said calmly, “Is this Ji Bochang? A Ji Bochang whom the steward and the old members of the Ji Clan’s gang failed to recognize?”

“Whether he’s Ji Bochang or not is irrelevant. What matters are the forces of the jianghu, which is, as you said, not a playground of the yamen,” Sha Seven retorted with a grin. “You don’t dare to offend Li Shentong, so do you dare to offend Ying Five? If I say he’s Ji Bochang, then he’s Ji Bochang.”

Yan Lianping fell silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled. “Alright. Then there is no need to discuss this matter. The properties on Taiping Street belong to brother Ji.”

“Excellent,” Zhao Changhe said, sitting down leisurely and pouring himself a glass of wine. “But what I came here to discuss is not just the properties on Taiping Street. Now that I, Ji Bochang, have returned, is it not my right to inherit the Xingyi Gang?”

Yan Lianping chuckled softly. “If you wish to take over the gang’s assets, Young Master Ji, I have no objection. However, good birds choose which trees to roost in, and it is not up to you to decide who they wish to follow.”

Zhao Changhe said, “Then may I ask them?”

Yan Lianping said, “Go ahead.”

Zhao Changhe leaned forward and addressed the members of the Xingyi Gang below. “Everyone, the old gang leader was murdered. Regardless of our status in the jianghu, don’t we all still need to uphold our loyalty?”

They looked at each other. Loyalty was indeed important. Yan Lianping had managed to recruit most of the gang members smoothly by using the pretext of avenging Ji Yinan and capturing Han Wubing. Although it was indeed a case of birds choosing which tree to roost in, even if they wanted to join the Pinghu Association, the pretext had to be there for them to be able to.

Someone said, “Mister... Mister Situ, the gang leader was killed by Han Wubing, and only President Yan can lead us to avenge our former leader.”

Zhao Changhe said, “That makes sense, except the old gang leader was not killed by Han Wubing at all.”

There was a moment of silence among the crowd

You sound like you’re just making this up. Whether most people believe that Han Wubing was the killer doesn’t really matter. Of course, it does matter to some, but what’s the use of saying this without evidence?

Yan Lianping laughed. “Hah... Young Master Ji, or should I say Young Master Situ, the sword wound on Gang Leader Ji could not have been inflicted by anyone other than Han Wubing, right? You’re not trying to pin the blame on me, are you? It’s well known that I use a double-edged sword.”

Zhao Changhe said slowly, “I use a saber, but I can also use a sword, especially when the opponent is significantly weaker than me.”

Yan Lianping smiled and said. “Ji Yinan was not much weaker than me.”

Zhao Changhe gave him a strange look. “I never said that you were the one who killed him. Why are you so quick to assume that I was referring to you?”

Yan Lianping’s expression remained unchanged, and he shook his head as he said, “So, are you trying to frame me? Unfortunately, your baseless accusations are meaningless.”

Zhao Changhe said, “You’re mistaken. I never said that it was you. Because the one who killed Ji Yinan was a barbarian.”

Before he could finish speaking, someone suddenly rushed in to report, “Something bad has happened! Han Wubing has stormed into the Ji Clan’s residence with a sword, kidnapped Madam Ji, and demanded Mad Lion He Lei to come out and face him!”